During the early months of the Civil War, Fort Jackson's garrison included local militia units serving rotating tours of duty, among them the Republican Blues commanded by John Wayne Anderson. First organized in 1808, the Blues had previously served at Fort Jackson during the War of 1812. Typical of Savannah's old military units, they were both a fraternal social organization and a well trained military unit. Their Civil War service at Fort Jackson began when they were transferred from nearby Wassau Island on November 12, 1861, and their tour of duty there ended on August 20, 1862. Lieutenant William D. Dixon of the Republican Blues wrote in his diary of Fort Jackson, "We are very near fixed and it is the first time I ever saw the Blues satisfied. They are willing to stay in these quarters."